Compartment seal

ABSTRACT

A compartment seal is disposed about an automotive tube or hose at the automotive firewall to prevent leakage of smoke and fumes generally from an engine compartment to an occupant compartment. The compartment seal comprises a rigid washer body member having a plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged around an opening therethrough. The plurality of apertures is receptive to fasteners for attachment of the body member to the automotive firewall to provide a seal between the engine compartment and the occupant compartment. The tube or hose passes through the opening in the body member. The body member includes a seal component within the opening configured to form a seal between a periphery of the tubular structure and the seal component. The seal component is disposed within the opening of the body member. The seal component provides a seal between the tubular structure and the body member and allows significant angular displacement of the tubular structure from the centerline without compromising the integrity of the seal component between the body member and the tubular structure. The component seal comprises a resilient seal bonded to the body member disposed in the opening of the body member. The component seal is nonplanar having an angle configured therein from the body member to a central opening, this central opening being smaller in diameter than the tubular structure passing therethrough to provide the necessary sealing tension.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of prior ApplicationSer. No. 10/119,569, filed Apr. 10, 2002, in the name of Matczak et al.and entitled “Compartment Seal”.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to seals. More specifically,this invention relates to a compartment seal for use primarily withautomotive hoses and tubes extending between two compartments.

[0003] Compartment seals are known in the prior art. Such compartmentseals comprise an aperture formed within a wall separating twocompartments having a grommet circumferentially lining the aperture andsized to sealably engage the periphery of a hose or tube axiallydisposed within the grommet to provide a seal between the compartmentswhile having the tube or hose extend in each compartment. Typically, oneof the compartments is the engine compartment separated from an occupantcompartment by a firewall or dash. It is necessary to prevent fumes andsmoke produced in the engine compartment from passing through thefirewall into the occupant compartment. Unless effectively sealed, smokeand fumes from the engine compartment invariably migrate into theoccupant compartment. A hose or tube passing through the firewallproviding fuel or oil to and from the engine compartment poses a threatfor such undesirable gases to pass through into the occupant compartmentvia apertures providing access to both compartments.

[0004] The prior art uses a grommet configured to fit within theaperture formed in the firewall and sized to engage an outer peripheryof the fuel or oil hose. However, the fuel and oil hoses have fittingsat either end to engage complimentary fittings for coupling the hoses.The opening of the grommet is smaller in diameter than the fittings thatare at either end of the hose. The partial resiliency of the grommetmaterial provides limited expansion to allow passage of a fittingthrough the aperture in the grommet without causing undue stress andwear in an attempt to remove a fuel or oil line having a fitting.Furthermore, passing the larger fittings through the grommet causesundue stress and wear. On the other hand, it is not feasible to pass thehose through the grommet absent the installed fittings because specialtooling is needed to remove and reinstall the fittings. The presentgrommet design may be chamfered at the opening to facilitate and directthe hose to the centerline during assembly. However, this presentgrommet design is not suitable for off center positioning of the hose,which causes undue stress on both the hose and grommet. Furthermore,during more extreme angular displacements fumes and smoke leaks from theengine compartment out between the grommet and the hose extending intothe occupant compartment. Such extreme angular displacements arecommonly encountered with automobiles used for racing because of thelimited room in both compartments as well as because of the extremeconditions these automobiles are used.

[0005] In addition, the prior art also uses caulking material, such assilicone or RTV, for example, to seal between an exterior hose or tubingand a compartment in which the hose or tubing passes through. Inparticular, when a “velocity stack” or “air hone” extends from acarburetor or fuel injector into an air box, the interface between anexterior of the air horn and air box into which it extends must besealed to prevent contaminants from entering through the interfacetherebetween. A velocity stack or air horn is one way to increase airflow to a carburetor or fuel injector of an internal combustion engine Avelocity stack or air horn is a generally cone-shaped tube device thatis open to ambient air and directs airflow to the air-fuel system. Thesedevices are more commonly used on engines that are intended for extrapower including automobile, motorcycle or power boat engines, especiallyin racing. In such an instance, silicon or a room-temperaturevulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber is used to seal the interface andneeds time to set up before creating such a seal. Furthermore, such aseal must be broken in order to remove the air horn from the air box.Reworkability of this interface is especially problematic in racing whenreduced time and effort is desirable.

[0006] Despite the activity in the prior art in attempt to form a sealwithin a compartment or between two compartments to eliminate fumes,smoke, and other debris from migrating through a compartment interface,a need remains for simple and inexpensive means by which a compartmentof a vehicle can be effectively sealed against the entry of fumes,smoke, and other debris from outside the compartment when a hose ortubing extends into the compartment from outside thereof.

[0007] There is also a need to provide simple and inexpensive sealcomponents which may readily be employed with tubing or wiring withassociated fittings, and that for diverse other applications, to affordsuch protection in a highly convenient manner, which components may inaddition afford greatly improved isolation from smoke, fumes, and otherenvironmental elements and debris.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of theprior art are overcome or alleviated by the compartment seal of thepresent disclosure. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment acompartment seal comprises a body member having an opening therethroughand a plurality of openings circumferentially arranged around theopening. The body member has a periphery sized larger than an aperturein a wall and the plurality of openings providing a means for attachingthe body member to the wall. A seal element secured to the body memberand is configured to have an aperture therethrough. The aperture in theseal element is in general alignment with the opening in the bodymember. The aperture in the seal element has a diameter less than adiameter of the opening in the body member for sealingly engaging tubingpassing through the aperture in the seal element. The seal elementincludes a generally conically shaped portion about the aperture,wherein the generally conical shaped portion is defined at one endthereof with at least one convolute defined by a perimeter smaller thanthe opening and larger than a largest diameter defining the conicallyshaped portion, or an annular portion configured to slidably andsealably engage an air horn therethrough.

[0009] In contrast to the prior art, smoke, fumes, or other debrisgenerated in the engine compartment are prevented from leaking throughthe seal element even during extreme angular displacements of the tubingextending through the seal element, such as encountered with automobilesused for racing, generally circle or oval track racing, duringcornering. This is due to the use of a resilient seal and the sealhaving a central opening that is at least about ten percent smaller indiameter than that of the tubular structure passing therethrough.

[0010] In another embodiment, a method for a compartment seal having avariably sized aperture is disclosed. The method comprises configuring abody member having an opening therethrough and having a plurality ofopenings circumferentially arranged around the opening, the body memberhaving a periphery sized larger than an aperture in a wall and theplurality of openings providing a means for attaching the body member tothe wall. A seal element is configured to have an aperture therethroughbeing in general alignment with the opening in the body member, the sealelement including a generally conically shaped portion defined at oneend having at least one convolute defined by a perimeter smaller thanthe opening and larger than a largest diameter defining the conicallyshaped portion. The seal element is secured to the body member, and theseal element is cut to form the aperture in said seal element having adiameter less than a diamater of the opening in the body member forsealingly engaging tubing passing through the aperture in the sealelement.

[0011] Accordingly, the prior art problem of smoke, fumes, and otherdebris leaking from the engine compartment into the occupant compartmentduring more sever angular displacements of the tubing, such asencountered with automobiles used for racing, generally circle or ovaltrack racing, during cornering, is avoided, while allowing such tubingto pass through and be reworkable. The aforementioned prior art seal isnot suitable for sufficiently resolving this prior art problem.

[0012] The above discussed and other features and advantages of thepresent invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numberedalike in the several FIGURES:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compartment seal disposed in afirewall of a vehicle;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the compartment seal of FIG. 1 with ahose, partially shown, extending therethrough;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a first end view of the compartment seal of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a partial view of the compartment seal taken along theline 3-3 in FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a partial view of an alternative exemplary embodiment ofa seal element for the compartment seal of FIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of air horns extending intoan air box and sealed therewith another alternative exemplary embodimentof a compartment seal;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a body member for the compartmentseal of FIG. 6; and

[0021]FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of the compartment seal for oneof the air horns of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a compartment seal in accordance with oneembodiment is shown generally at 42. Compartment seal 42 comprises arigid annular body member 44 having four apertures 46 circumferentiallythereabout. Each aperture 46 is preferably spaced equidistant from oneanother to provide a manner in which seal 42 may be mounted to anautomotive firewall 48 separating an engine compartment 50 from anoccupant compartment 52. Body member 44 is mounted over an opening 53(FIG. 2) configured in firewall 48. A diameter 54 of body member 44 ispreferably larger than a diameter of the opening 53 configured infirewall 48 for attaching body member 44 to firewall 48 via apertures 46and fasteners 56 (See FIG. 2). Fasteners 56 include bolts, rivets andthe like. Body member 44 is preferably comprised of metal, and morepreferably aluminum. An automotive hose or tubing 60 passes through anopening 66 (See FIG. 3) in body member 44. Hose 60 may be an oil or fuelline providing fluid communication to an engine component in enginecompartment 50. Hose 60 includes a fitting 62 for coupling with acomponent to provide the fluid communication. Fitting 62 includes flats64 for engaging with a wrench or pliers to securely engage fitting 62 toanother hose or corresponding component. It will be appreciated by oneskilled in the pertinent art that an outside diameter of flats 64 islarger than an outside diameter of hose 60, but smaller than opening 66formed in body member 44.

[0023] A seal element 72 is secured within opening 66 of body member 44by attaching seal element 72 to a first surface 74 and a second surface76 of a body member 44 secured to surfaces 74, 76, for example, bybonding or other known means (e.g., adhesive bonding, chemical bondingor mechanical means of attachment). In a preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 3, body member 44 includes apertures 78 circumferentially disposedproximate opening 66 for allowing seal element to be injection molded tobody member 44. In this manner, when seal element 72 is injectionmolded, seal element material flows through each aperture 78 connectingportions of seal element 72 depending from first and second surfaces 74,76 of body member 44, thus providing axial and rotational retention ofseal element 72 relative to body member 44. Seal element 72 ispreferably comprised of a polymer such as nitrile or neoprene as well asplastics or other suitable sealing materials (e.g., rubber, preferably afire retardant rubber).

[0024] Seal element 72 is defined from an outer circumferential edge 84extending to define a first flat portion 85 disposed on either side ofbody member 44 by U-shaped portion 86. An interior portion 88 ofU-shaped portion 86 attaches to first and second surfaces 74, 76 of bodymember 44 while an apex 90 of U-shaped portion 86 engages an edge 92defining opening 66 of body member 44.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first side 94 of seal element 72extends from U-shaped portion 86 on first side 94 forming a V-portion100 followed by a second flat portion 110. V-portion 100 is defined by afirst edge 102 of a first inclined portion 103 and a second edge 104 ofa second opposing inclined portion 105 forming complementary angles ofabout 30 degrees relative to edge 92 or about 60 degrees relative tosecond flat portion 110. First and second edges 102, 104 are joined viaan intermediary flat portion 106 that is substantially parallel withlegs 108 and 109 forming U-shaped portion 86. Second flat portion 110 isfollowed by a third inclined portion 112 that extends to a third flatportion 114 that is substantially parallel to second and intermediaryflat portions 110, 106. Third inclined portion 112 forms a 30 degreeangle relative to second and third flat portions 110, 114 joining thesame. Third flat portion 114 terminates in a central opening (oraperture) 116. Opening 116 formed by termination of flat portion 114 issmaller in diameter than a hose or tube passing therethrough by aboutthirty-five percent. It will be appreciated that the contacting portionof the seal (i.e., portion 114) is substantially thinner than thecontacting portion of the aforementioned prior art grommet seal, wherebytranslational and rotational friction between the hose/tube and the sealare significantly reduced. Heretofore it was believed that a thicker andthereby harder seal would provide a better seal. However, when pressureis applied to one side of the prior art grommet the opposing side doesnot follow due to the thickness and rigidity of such grommets, inaddition to preventing passage of installed fittings 62. The seals ofthe present invention do not suffer from this problem, since theopposing side of the seal is not required to follow the side of the sealunder force in order to maintain the seal.

[0026] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an opposite side 120 of side 94of seal element 72 will be described. Leg 109 of U-shaped portion 86extends to a second V-portion 121. Second V-portion is defined by afirst edge 122 and a second edge 124 joining first and second opposinginclined portions 103 and 105 forming complementary angles of about 45degrees relative to edges 84, 92 and relative to second flat portion110. Second V-portion 121 forms a V-channel that is less deep thanV-portion 100. The vertex of each V-portion 100, 121 is offset from oneanother as shown in FIG. 4 and reside on side 120 of seal element 72. Itwill be noted that seal element 72 is thinnest proximate the vertexformed by joining edges 122 and 124 along a length defining seal element72. Second edge 124 is followed by an edge 134 that is opposite edge 104defining second opposing inclined portion 105. Edge 134 extends fromsecond edge 124 and meets with flat portion 110 at an angle of about 40degrees relative to edges 84, 92 or about 50 degrees relative to secondflat portion 110. As edge 134 extends from second edge 124, seal elementthickens until meeting with flat portion 110. From flat portion 110 toan end of portion 114 defining opening 116, the thickness of sealelement 72 remains substantially the same.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, seal element 72 provides for a significantamount of angular displacement of a hose 60 from the center line withoutloss of the seal established between the seal element 72 and the hose60, whereby smoke and fumes are prevented from escaping therethrough.Such extreme angular displacements are commonly encountered withautomobiles used for racing where available space is limited and wherehoses are generally subjected to vibration and centrifugal forces duringcornering that is common at racing speeds.

[0028] The sealing element will usually be fabricated by molding thefirst flat portion 85 directly upon an edge 92 of the metal body 44,which will advantageously constitute, or provide, a circumferentialflange portion of an interior portion of a washer. To ensure a tight andstrong bond with the elastomeric material forming seal element 72, theedge 92 and surfaces 74, 76 proximate edge 92 of the washer or bodymember 44 will desirably be roughened. In the especially preferredembodiments, moreover, the edge 92 and proximate surfaces 74, 76 willcarry an agent to increase adhesion, the choice of which will dependupon the composition of the material used to produce the first flatportion 85 itself.

[0029] It will be appreciated that the components of which the assemblyof the invention is comprised will normally be made of metal (e.g.,steel, aluminum, brass, etc.), except of course for the sealing element.As to the latter, any suitable natural rubber or synthetic polymer maybe employed; neoprene rubber, polyurethanes, styrene/butadiene rubbers,nitrile elastomers, and silicone resins might be mentioned as typical,but the selection of a suitable material for any given application willbe evident to those skilled in the art. In addition to providing therequisite flexibility, resiliency and durability under the variety ofconditions to which the compartment seal might be exposed, the materialfrom which the sealing element is formed must be capable of producing arubber-tearing bond with the metal element. As indicated above, that maybe promoted by the use of an adhesive, a bonding agent, a chemicalsurface activator, or the like (the choice of which will also be evidentto those skilled in the art), as well as by roughening of the surface ofthe component to which the rubber is to be bonded (e.g., bysand-blasting or the equivalent), or by other means. Normally, thesealing component will be integrally formed by molding of theelastomeric material directly to the metal piece, as by a compression,injection or transfer molding technique; bonding of preformed, separateseal elements may however also be feasible. Furthermore, it will beunderstood that although the body member 44 and seal element 72 attachedto the body member have been illustrated and discussed in a circularconfiguration, any configuration is contemplated for the body member andseal element attached to the body member as long as the configuration issuitable to cover an opening of a wall and suitable for attaching to thewall.

[0030] Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides simpleand inexpensive means by which tubing extending between compartments canbe effectively sealed against the entry of foreign matter, such as smokeand fumes. It also provides simple and inexpensive sealing componentsthat are suitable for use in a vehicle firewall or dash assembly, toafford such protection in a convenient and highly effective manner.

[0031] Advantages obtainable by employment of the system embodying theinvention are numerous. As used in an automotive engine compartment orfuel and oil lines extending from the engine compartment into thedriver's area, for example, they include: (1) Simpler initialinstallation. (2) Elimination of specialty tools to install fittings onthe end of fuel and oil lines for installation or removal of such linesfrom the firewall. (3) Freedom to schedule installation or removal offuel and oil lines, either individually or preferably as an entiresealed system, on a production line before or after the device ordevices being operated by the system are installed in place. (4) Timesaving when repairs must be made to the fuel and oil line components orthe lines themselves. The lines are easily removed with couplingfittings installed without having to disconnect such fittings first andlater reinstall the same using expensive tooling when working withcomponents connected to such oil and fuel lines or the lines themselves.In the system of this application, for example, the fuel line from arear mounted gas tank may be quickly and easily removed by disconnectingit from the rear tank, releasing its mounting means, whether a clip orother means, and drawing it easily through the seal mounted to thefirewall and into the engine compartment where it may be readilydisconnected, repaired or replaced and reinstalled. (5) It performs moreefficiently than other, more complicated seals without the complexityand losses of time, materials and effort of prior designs.

[0032] Similar advantages are present when the system embodying theinvention is used with a wiring harness or other electrical wirespassing through a firewall or between different compartments in general.

[0033] For example, referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative exemplaryembodiment of seal element 72 of FIG. 4 is illustrated with body member44 generally at 172. Seal element 172 is secured within opening 66 ofbody member 44 by attaching seal element 172 to a first surface 74 and asecond surface 76 of a body member 44 secured to surfaces 74, 76, forexample, by bonding or other known means (e.g., adhesive bonding,chemical bonding or mechanical means of attachment). In a preferredembodiment shown in FIG. 5, body member 44 includes apertures 78circumferentially disposed proximate opening 66 for allowing sealelement to be injection molded to body member 44. In this manner, whenseal element 172 is injection molded, seal element material flowsthrough each aperture 78 connecting portions of seal element 172depending from first and second surfaces 74, 76 of body member 44, thusproviding axial and rotational retention of seal element 172 relative tobody member 44. Seal element 172 is preferably comprised of a polymersuch as nitrile or neoprene as well as plastics or other suitablesealing materials (e.g., rubber, preferably a fire retardant rubber).

[0034] Seal element 172, like seal element 72 in FIG. 4, is defined froman outer circumferential edge 184 extending to define a first flatportion 185 disposed on either side of body member 44 by U-shapedportion 186. An interior portion 188 of U-shaped portion 186 attaches tofirst and second surfaces 74, 76 of body member 44 while an apex 190 ofU-shaped portion 186 engages an edge 92 defining opening 66 of bodymember 44.

[0035] Seal element 172 includes a first convolute 200 that extends to asecond convolute 202 that in turn extends to a conical member 204 asseal element 172 extends radially inwardly to a centerline 208coinciding with an axis defining seal element 172. Seal element 172extends further out of a plane defining body member 44 as seal elementextends toward centerline 208. More specifically, first convolute 200 isdefined by a U-shaped member having a first leg 210 and a second leg212, where first leg 210 extends from a first section 214 that extendsfrom U-shaped portion 186 substantially parallel to axis 208. Second leg212 extends substantially parallel to axis 208 toward body member 44 andthen forms a U-shaped bend 216 to form second convolute 202.

[0036] Second convolute 202 is defined by a U-shaped member having athird leg 220 and a fourth leg 222, where third leg 220 extends from abend 216 substantially parallel to axis 208. Fourth leg 222 extendssubstantially parallel to axis 208 toward body member 44 and then formsa partial U-shaped bend 226 to form conical member 204.

[0037] Seal element 172 and body member 44 resemble a “witches hat” or acone surrounded by a pair of concentric convolutes where outer convolute200 is operably coupled to body member 44.

[0038] Seal element 172 is configured to be cut along a plane 230substantially parallel with a plane defining body member 44 with aknife, scissors or other cutting apparatus to form an aperture throughseal element 172 that is about ten percent smaller in diameter than adiameter of a wire or tube to be disposed therethrough. Plane 230 may bea plane through first, second, third, and fourth legs 210, 212, 220, and222, respectively, as well as conical member 204, depending on thedesired diameter of a resulting aperture therethrough. For largerdiameters, cuts through first or second legs 210, 212 would result inlarger diameter apertures than cuts through fourth leg 222, or along alength defining conical member 204. It will be recognized by one skilledin the pertinent art that a cut along a length of conical member 204provides a finer selection for smaller diameter apertures, as opposed tocutting either first or second convolutes 200 and 202.

[0039] In addition, legs 210, 212, 220, and 220 may include demarcationsindicative of where to cut for a desired diameter. It will also berecognized by one skilled in the art that determining whichcorresponding pairs of legs 210, 212, 220, and 220 to cut throughdepends on from what direction debris may enter. Furthermore, when it isdesired that either of legs 212 or 222 be cut, conical member 204 shouldbe pulled to expose legs 212, 222 for cutting therethrough withoutcutting through legs 210, 220, respectively.

[0040] The compartment seals 42, 142 disclosed and claimed provides forgreater flexibility of tubing and wiring extending between compartmentsin minimum space, and the ability to maintain a sealed system withoutthe need to remove and reinstall corresponding fittings on the ends ofthe tubing or electrical connectors on the ends of electrical wires, andthe like.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 6, another alternative embodiment of thecompartment seal of FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated generally at 242. FIG. 6illustrates a pair of air horns 250 extending through a seal element 272extending from a body member 244. Body member 244 is configured formounting to an air box shown in phantom generally at 252, thus sealingagainst contaminants entering through an interface between the air boxand air horns. Each air horn 250 is defined with one end 254 configuredto be operably coupled to a fuel injector or carburetor (not shown) andan opposite end 256 having a flared opening in air box 250. Althoughcompartment seal 242 is shown and described with respect to twoseparable air horns 250, it will be recognized that compartment seal242, along with compartment seals 42, 142, described above, areoptionally configured for single, double, triple, or more air horns 250or other tubular structure extending therethrough creating a sealedinterface therebetween.

[0042] Compartment seal 242 comprises a rigid oval body member 244having eight apertures 246 circumferentially thereabout. However, itwill be recognized that body member 244 may have other geometric shapesincluding circular or triangular, for example, depending on the numberof air horns 250 extending therethrough. Each aperture 246 is preferablyspaced equidistant from one another to provide a manner in which seal242 may be mounted to an automotive air box 252 separating an enginecompartment 50 from air box 252. Body member 244 is mounted over anopening (not shown) configured in air box 252. A perimeter of bodymember 244 is preferably larger than a perimeter defining the openingconfigured in air box 252 for attaching body member 244 thereto viaapertures 246 and corresponding fasteners 56 (See FIG. 2). Fasteners 56include bolts, rivets and the like. Body member 244 is preferablycomprised of metal, and more preferably aluminum, such as 0.04 thick6061-T6 aluminum.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, seal element 272 is secured withinopening 266 of body member 244 by attaching seal element 272 to a firstsurface 274 and a second surface 276 of a body member 244 secured tosurfaces 274, 276, for example, by bonding or other known means (e.g.,adhesive bonding, chemical bonding or mechanical means of attachment).In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, body member 244 includesapertures 278 circumferentially disposed proximate opening 266 forallowing seal element 272 to be injection molded to body member 244. Inthis manner, when seal element 272 is injection molded, seal elementmaterial flows through each aperture 278 (e.g., eighteen shown)connecting portions of seal element 272 depending from first and secondsurfaces 274, 276 of body member 244, thus providing axial androtational retention of seal element 272 relative to body member 244.Seal element 272 is preferably comprised of a polymer such as nitrile orneoprene as well as plastics or other suitable sealing materials (e.g.,rubber, preferably a fire retardant rubber).

[0044] Seal element 272, like seal element 72 in FIG. 4 and seal element172 in FIG. 5, is defined from an outer circumferential edge 284extending to define a first flat portion 285 disposed on either side ofbody member 244 by U-shaped portion 286. An interior portion 288 ofU-shaped portion 286 attaches to first and second surfaces 274, 276 ofbody member 244 while an apex 290 of U-shaped portion 286 engages anedge 292 defining opening 266 of body member 244. Seal element 272includes two frustoconical members 304 as seal element 272 extendsradially inwardly to a corresponding centerline 308 (see FIG. 7). Sealelement 272 extends further out of a plane defining body member 244 alelement 272 extends toward a corresponding centerline 208.

[0045] Each frustoconical member 304 extends to a substantially annularportion 310 of seal element 272 that is configured to be slidably andsealably engageable with a corresponding one end 254 of a correspondingair horn 250. Annular portion 310 includes a groove 312 configured in anexterior surface 314 thereof while an interior surface 316 definingportion 310 is chamfered generally shown at 318 to facilitate slidableengagement of a respective air horn 250. Groove 312 is configured toretain a zip tie or hose clamp therein for securing seal element 272 toair horn 250.

[0046] Each frustoconical member 304 includes an inner surface 320 andan exterior surface 322. Inner surface 320 extends from aperture 266 toannular portion 310 at an angle of about 42 degrees relative tocenterline 308. Exterior surface 322 extends from aperture 266 toannular portion 310 at an angle of about 45 degrees relative tocenterline 308. Thus, each frustoconical member 304 tapers in thicknessbecoming thinner as each extends from aperture 266 toward annularportion 310.

[0047] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it isto be understood that the present invention has been described by way ofillustrations and not limitation.

1. A compartment seal comprising: a body member having an openingtherethrough, said body member having a plurality of openingscircumferentially arranged around said opening, said body member havinga periphery sized larger than an aperture in a wall, said plurality ofopenings providing a means for attaching said body member to said wall;and a seal element secured to said body member, said seal elementconfigured to have an aperture therethrough, said aperture in said sealelement being in general alignment with said opening in said bodymember, said aperture in said seal element having a diameter less than adiameter of said opening in said body member, said seal elementconfigured for sealingly engaging tubing passing through said aperturein said seal element, said seal element includes a generally conicallyshaped portion about said aperture, wherein said generally conicalshaped portion is defined at one end having one of at least oneconvolute defined by a perimeter smaller than said opening and largerthan a largest diameter defining said conically shaped portion and anannular portion configured to slidably and sealably engage an air horntherethrough.
 2. The compartment seal of claim 1 wherein said opening insaid body member is in general alignment with said aperture in saidwall, said plurality of openings are aligned with a surface of said walldefining said aperture for fastening said body member to said wall. 3.The compartment seal of claim 1 wherein said body member issubstantially planar on at least one surface for attachment to anopposing surface.
 4. The compartment seal of claim 1 wherein said sealelement is generally nonplanar.
 5. The compartment seal of claim 1wherein said at least one convolute defined by a perimeter smaller thansaid opening and larger than a largest diameter defining said conicallyshaped portion includes two contiguous concentric convolutes having oneend thereof extending from said opening and an opposite end extendingfrom said generally conically shaped portion.
 6. The compartment seal ofclaim 5 wherein each of said two contiguous concentric convolutes andsaid conical portion is defined with each having different diameters,said conical portion defined with a progressively different diameteralong a length thereof.
 7. The compartment seal of claim 6 wherein saidaperture in said seal element is configured to be manually cut having adiameter which is about ten percent smaller than a diameter of tubingpassing therethrough.
 8. The compartment seal of claim 7 wherein saidconical member extends further from a plane defining said body memberthan said first and second convolutes.
 9. The compartment seal of claim8 wherein said second convolute extends further from said plane thansaid first convolute.
 10. The compartment seal of claim 7 wherein saidfirst convolute is defined by a first leg and a second leg substantiallyparallel to each other, said first leg defining a larger diameter ofsaid aperture than said second leg.
 11. The compartment seal of claim 10wherein said second convolute is defined by a third leg and a fourth legsubstantially parallel to each other, said third leg defining a largerdiameter of said aperture than said fourth leg.
 12. The compartment sealof claim 11 wherein said generally conically shaped portion is pulled togain access to either of said second and fourth legs to manually cuttherethrough to form said aperture.
 13. The compartment seal of claim 1wherein said seal element is further defined by a first flat portionconfigured in a U-shape having a first and second leg defining aninterior portion of said U-shape secured to either side of said bodymember.
 14. The compartment seal of claim 13 wherein said body memberincludes another plurality of apertures circumferentially disposedproximate said opening, said another plurality of apertures providing ameans for axial and rotational retention of seal element relative tosaid body member, whereby said another plurality of apertures providesfluid communication between said first and second legs of said firstflat portion.
 15. The compartment seal of claim 14 wherein said fluidcommunication includes one of adhesive and injection molding material.16. The compartment seal of claim 1 wherein said tubing includes one ofan oil line, a fuel line, electrical wiring, and said air horn.
 17. Thecompartment seal of claim 1 wherein said body member is fabricated frommetal.
 18. The compartment seal of claim 17 wherein said seal element ismolded upon said body member.
 19. The compartment seal of claim 18wherein said body member includes an adhesion-promoting substancecarried on a marginal portion defining said opening thereof forenhancement of the level of bond strength of said sealing elementthereto.
 20. The compartment seal of claim 18 wherein said seal elementis secured to said body member using a plurality of aperturescircumferentially disposed proximate said opening of said body member.21. The compartment seal of claim 1 wherein said annular portionconfigured to slidably and sealably engage an air horn therethrough isdefined by an exterior surface having a circumferential grooveconfigured therein and an interior surface chamfered at opposing ends.22. The compartment seal of claim 21 wherein said circumferential grooveis configured to retain a fastener therein, said fastener configured tocompress said interior surface around said air horn.
 23. The compartmentseal of claim 21 wherein said generally conically shaped portion isdefined by an inner surface and outer surface, said inner surfaceextending from said opening at an angle of about 42 degrees and saidouter surface extending from said opening at an angle of about 45degrees relative to an axis normal to a plane defining said body member.24. A method for a compartment seal having a variably sized aperture,the method comprising: configuring a body member having an openingtherethrough and having a plurality of openings circumferentiallyarranged around said opening, said body member having a periphery sizedlarger than an aperture in a wall, said plurality of openings providinga means for attaching said body member to said wall; configuring a saidseal element to have an aperture therethrough being in general alignmentwith said opening in said body member, said seal element including agenerally conically shaped portion, wherein said generally conicalshaped portion is defined at one end having at least one convolutedefined by a perimeter smaller than said opening and larger than alargest diameter defining said conically shaped portion; securing saidseal element to said body member; and cutting said seal element to formsaid aperture to be formed in said seal element having a diameter lessthan a diameter of said opening in said body member for sealinglyengaging tubing passing through said aperture in said seal element. 25.The method of claim 24 wherein each of said at least one convolute iscontiguous and concentric with respect to each other, said at least oneconvolute and said conical portion are each configured having differentdiameters, said conical portion defined with a progressively differentdiameter along a length thereof.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein saidcutting said seal element to form said aperture in said seal element ismanually cut having a diameter which is about ten percent smaller than adiameter of tubing passing therethrough.